Plexiglass Acrylic Sheets - Clear

We stock two types of clear plexiglass acrylic sheets, cell cast and extruded. Our pre-cut clear cell cast pieces range from nominal 1/16" thick to 1" thick. Our pre-cut clear extruded pieces range from nominal 1/16" thick to 1/4" thick. Click on one of the Shop Now buttons below to select a type and thickness of plexiglass that best suits your application or project. If you are unsure which type of sheet you need, scroll down this page to the Cast Plexiglass Acrylic vs Extruded Plexiglass Acrylic section for key characteristics and properties of the two types.

Plexiglass acrylic (PMMA - Polymethyl Methacrylate) is a versatile plastic material that has great impact strength yet is light weight with exceptional optical quality. Our clear plexiglass sheets can be used for a number of applications such as signage, glazing, displays, picture framing, aquarium tanks, and much more. Plexiglass can be sawed, drilled, routed, painted, decorated, silkscreened, formed, and laser cut. Plexiglass is 10 times stronger than glass and half the weight.

Our clear plexiglass acrylic inventory includes a number of stock sizes that are usually ready to ship out within 1 to 3 business days.

Cast Plexiglass Acrylic vs Extruded Plexiglass Acrylic

What is the difference between cell cast and extruded plexiglass acrylic? One of the main difference between the two is how they are manufactured. Cell cast plexiglass acrylic is made by pouring a liquid acrylic monomer between 2 glass sheets and then harden. Extruded plexiglass acrylic is manufactured by pushing the liquified acrylic monomer between a series of rollers to flatten into a sheet and cooled as they run through the extrusion equipment.

Because of the different manufacturing processes, cell cast and extruded plexiglass acrylic have distinct characteristics.

Cell Cast Acrylic Plexiglass - Key Characteristics & Properties:

• Made by pouring liquid acrylic monomer into a glass mold.
• Cell cast sheets can be laser cut and laser engraved. Extruded sheets can also be laser cut, but its not recommended for laser engraving.
• Slightly better optical clarity than extruded.
• Wider range of thickness available compared to extruded.
• Cell cast sheets have a higher resistance to impact than extruded sheets by virtue of the manufacturing process. Basically, when acrylic is extruded, the force of the rollers squeezing the material to make it thinner introduces stress during the extrusion process. With cell cast, there is no stress introduced during the manufacturing process, producing a stronger molecular structure of the sheet.
• Cell cast sheets have a higher thickness tolerance compared to extruded sheets. The thickness can vary throughout a cell cast sheet. For example, in a nominal 1/8" (.118" or 3mm) cell cast sheet, some sections of the sheet may be .100" thick while other sections of the sheet may be .120".
• Machines better than extruded sheets (cutting, drilling, routing). Less melting during machining than extruded sheets.
• Cell cast sheets are relatively more scratch resistant than extruded sheets.
• Generally better at chemical resistance than extruded sheets.

Extruded Acrylic Plexiglass - Key Characteristics & Properties:

• Made by pushing the liquified acrylic monomer between a series of rollers to flatten into a sheet and cooled as they run through the extrusion equipment. This manufacturing process contributes to a lower clear extruded sheet cost, and thus a lower price compared to clear cell cast acrylic.
• Extruded sheets can also be laser cut, but its not recommended for laser engraving. For better engraving results, we recommend using cell cast sheets.
• Although cell cast sheets have slightly better optical clarity, extruded sheets are still very clear and offer excellent clarity. Extruded sheets can be used as windows, picture frame glass, store displays, etc.
• Thickness range is limited compared to cell cast sheets.
• Cell cast sheets have a higher resistance to impact than extruded sheets by virtue of the manufacturing process. Basically, when acrylic is extruded, the force of the rollers squeezing the material to make it thinner introduces stress during the extrusion process. With cell cast, there is no stress introduced during the manufacturing process, producing a stronger molecular structure of the sheet.
• Extruded sheets have lower thickness tolerance than cell cast. Extruded thickness tolerance can be around +/- 10% Cell cast sheets can have +/- 15% or more in thickness tolerance.
• Not as resistant to chemicals as cell cast sheets.
• Although extruded sheets can be cut, drilled, and routed, it is relatively easier to cut and machine cell cast sheets. Cut edges of extruded sheets tend not to be as clean as cut edges of cell cast sheets
• Extruded sheets have good dimensional stability, meaning it is less likely to warp or change shape when exposed to temperature variations.
• Extruded sheets are easier to flame polish compared to cell cast sheets.
• Extruded sheets are slightly less scratch resistant than cell cast sheets.

Is plexiglass and acrylic the same thing?

Yes. Plexiglass, plexi-glass, lucite, acrylite or acrylic glass are often used interchangeable with acrylic (simialar to the way Kleenex® and tissue paper are used interchangeable). When spelled Plexiglas® (spelled with one s), it refers to the Röhm brand name. When spelled as plexiglass (spelled with two s's) it is in reference to generic acrylic sheets. There are several manufacturers of acrylic sheets. The actual brand we ship out will depend on current stock. Plexiglas® is a registered trade name of Röhm GmbH and is not a brand we typically stock.

What is the difference between paper masking and film masking?

All of our plexiglass acrylic sheets come with a protective masking on both sides. Our clear cell cast pre-cut pieces will come with a paper masking. We also have clear extruded pre-cut pieces in both film masking and paper masking. The plastic film masking is typically blue in color or clear.

Paper masking is thicker than film masking and thus offers more protection when handling, especially when machining. However, film masking is easier to peel off than paper masking.

What is the difference between plexiglass/acrylic and polycarbonate (aka lexan)?

Plexiglass/acrylic and polycarbonate are both polymers and two of the most popular plastic materials. Both have clear visibility and are stronger than typical glass. However, one of the main differences between the two is that polycarbonate is significantly more impact resistant than plexiglass/acrylic and resist cracking and chipping much better. To give you an idea of the difference in strength between the two, if you were to throw a plexiglass sheet down on a concrete driveway, it would most likely crack and break. A polycarbonate sheet would just bounce off the driveway.

Plexiglass/acrylic is easier to machine and form. Polycarbonate is much more expensive than plexiglass. Polycarbonate offers more corrosion resistance when used in chemical applications, but it is less scratch-resistant than plexiglass. Plexiglass/acrylic has less degradation over time than polycarbonate.

Polycarbonate (aka lexan) is a material that should not be used for laser cutting projects. Polycarbonate sheets will release toxic and dangerouse fumes when laser cut that will cause serious health damage. These fumes can also damage your laser machine.

Examples of polycarbonate applications: protective windows, protective visors, machine guards, and other high risk applications.

If polycarbonate better suits your application or project, click on the Polycarbonate Lexan Shop Now button below to view our stock sizes of polycarbonate.

Quantity discounts available!

We offer discounts on our listed prices
with the purchase of 2 or more stock sheets.

2 to 5 - 3% off
6 to 10 - 5% off
11 to 20 - 10% off
21 to 30 - 12% off
31 to 40 - 13% off
41 to 50 - 14% off
51 or more - 15% off

We can also cut to size!

For custom cut to size or sheets of our clear plexiglass acrylic, please email [email protected] for a quote.
When describing the custom size, please included the thickness, width, length and quantity.